First EU country to legalize for personal use

Malta is the first European country to legalize the cultivation and personal use of cannabis.

The Maltese parliament passed a reform with 36 votes to 27 that allows citizens aged 18 and over to own up to seven grams of cannabis and grow up to four cannabis plants at home.

Possession of more than seven but less than 28 grams is punishable by a fine of up to 100 euros, while smoking in public is punishable by 235 euros. Anyone who consumes the drug in the presence of minors can expect a fine of up to 500 euros.

Non-governmental organizations can grow cannabis plants and sell them to a maximum of 500 members, provided they are not near schools or youth clubs.

Equality Minister Owen Bonnici said: "This historic move would prevent small cannabis users from facing the criminal justice system and curb drug trafficking by ensuring that [users] now have a safe and regular way to get cannabis to acquire".

Cannabis laws in Europe Since the United Nations reclassified cannabis last year, which recognized the therapeutic use of cannabis, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland have announced plans to legalize recreational cannabis use.

Cannabis is still illegal in the Netherlands, with the exception of the so-called "coffee shops", which have allowed the possession, consumption and retail sale of up to five grams of cannabis since 1976.

In Spain, cannabis production is allowed for personal consumption, but not for trade and public use, while in Italy there will be a referendum on legalization next year.

In 2001 the Portuguese government passed a law decriminalizing the use and possession of all drugs, including cannabis, for personal use. Selling and growing are still illegal, but political parties are currently debating legalizing recreational consumption.

In addition, Austria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom have legalized medical marijuana.

Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize cannabis for personal use in 2013, followed by Canada in 2018.